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ISLAMABAD: A joint symposium on “Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building” was held in Islamabad on Wednesday, bringing together senior Pakistani and Chinese officials, diplomats, parliamentarians, academics and representatives of think tanks to discuss China’s approach to political organisation, governance and institutional development. The symposium was organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan in collaboration with the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS). Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani attended the event as chief guest. The Chinese delegation included Liu Daxiu, Head of Delegation and First-Class Inspector at the Party Building Research Institute of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Zheng Huan, Professor of Party Building at the Central Party School of the CPC Central Committee. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong also addressed the gathering. While adressing, Pakistani and Chinese representatives reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between the two countries, noting that political and institutional exchanges have expanded alongside cooperation in economic, infrastructure and development-related fields. They further added that dialogue between political parties has become an important pillar of the Pakistan-China strategic relationship. Speakers outlined the evolution of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, describing it as a doctrine centred on strengthening the Communist Party of China through disciplined leadership, rigorous internal governance, organisational cohesion and ideological development. They said the framework seeks to ensure the Party’s long-term capacity to govern while maintaining accountability, institutional resilience and public trust. CPC’s efforts to curb corruption and maintain discipline, while strengthening the organisation at different levels were also discussed. The recurring theme throughout the symposium was that China’s development should not be viewed solely through the lens of economic growth. Pakistani and Chinese speakers argued that the country’s transformation has also been shaped by strong political organisation, consistent policy implementation and institutional continuity. At the same time, Chinese experts stressed that these experiences were not being presented as a model for direct replication, noting that every country must pursue its own path according to its national circumstances. Participants also reflected on the broader relevance of the CPC’s experience for political parties worldwide, discussing issues such as governance capacity, organisational resilience, leadership development and the ability of institutions to translate policy into tangible results. Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and IRS President Jauhar Saleem affirmed the importance of sustained engagement between the two countries and welcomed continued exchanges on governance, public policy and institutional development. The symposium concluded with an interactive session in which participants discussed the relevance of Party building, leadership and governance reforms to contemporary political challenges and future Pakistan-China cooperation.

QUETTA: Gas supplies to Quetta and several areas of Balochistan were suspended on Thursday after an explosion damaged a major gas pipeline in the Bolan region. Officials said the blast occurred near Gokurt. An 18-inch-diameter pipeline was damaged by an explosive device near its valve assembly. The damaged facility is located around 800 metres from the National Highway. The explosion disrupted gas supplies to Quetta, Kolpur, Mach, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin and Ziarat. Flames reportedly emerged from the damaged pipeline shortly after the blast. The area was secured to prevent further danger and allow authorities to inspect the site. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) said repair teams would be sent to the location after security clearance is granted. Engineers and technical teams will assess the damage first. Restoration work will begin after the site is declared safe. The company has not yet announced when gas supplies will be fully restored. The suspension has caused concern among residents and businesses in the affected areas. Many households depend on the gas network for cooking and other daily needs. Businesses and commercial establishments may also face difficulties if the disruption continues for an extended period. Security authorities have started investigating the explosion. Officials are also examining the circumstances surrounding the damage to the pipeline. The incident highlights continuing security concerns surrounding energy infrastructure in Balochistan. Gas pipelines in the province have previously been targeted in similar attacks. A similar incident was reported in Balochistan earlier this year. In March, an 18-inch gas pipeline near the Western Bypass in Harnai’s Akhtarabad area was damaged in an explosion. Explosives had reportedly been planted beneath the pipeline. The blast destroyed a significant section of the infrastructure and disrupted gas supplies to several areas. The earlier incident affected parts of Quetta and upper Balochistan. Several localities, including Airport Road, Nawan Kali, Jinnah Town, Hazarganji, Kuchlak, Pishin and Ziarat, experienced disruptions. The March explosion also caused a major fire. Large flames were seen rising from the damaged pipeline, creating panic among people living nearby. Authorities are continuing their investigation into Thursday’s blast. Security officials will also determine the extent of the damage and assess the measures required to protect the pipeline network.

Eight members of the Pakistan Bar Council have criticised the federal government over what they described as a deliberate failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s order regarding the medical treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the lawyers said the Supreme Court’s August 18 directive was clear and binding. They alleged that the executive had disregarded the order by not transferring Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital as directed. The statement was signed by PBC members including PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Abid Shahid Zuberi, Muhammad Maqsood Buttar, Shafqat Mehmood Chauhan, Munir Ahmed Kakar, Abdul Sattar Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and Qazi Muhammad Arshad. The members argued that the executive does not have the authority to ignore a binding judicial order. They said such conduct could undermine the authority of the judiciary, weaken the rule of law and damage the constitutional system of checks and balances. They also expressed concern that ignoring a court order could put fundamental rights at risk. According to the statement, judicial orders provide an important constitutional safeguard against arbitrary actions by state institutions. The lawyers further pointed out that the Supreme Court had already addressed the consequences of non-compliance in its August 18 order. They maintained that the government was aware of its obligations under the ruling. The PBC members also rejected the argument that filing a review petition could suspend the Supreme Court’s directive. They said a review petition does not automatically stop the implementation of an existing court order. They called for those responsible for the alleged violation to be identified and for appropriate legal proceedings to be initiated against them. The statement also raised questions about the impact of recent constitutional amendments on the judiciary and the rule of law. The lawyers argued that no constitutional amendment, political consideration or executive decision could provide legal protection for ignoring a binding Supreme Court order. They further questioned whether the constitutional rights to life, health, dignity and medical treatment were being applied equally to political leaders. The controversy follows the Supreme Court’s August 18 interim order directing authorities to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital within two days. The court had ordered his examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board. The bench, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, was hearing petitions seeking hospitalisation, access to personal doctors and family members, and access to Imran’s medical records. The court had also directed that Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan, Imran’s personal physician, be present during the medical examination. The government subsequently challenged the hospital-transfer order through a review petition. However, the Supreme Court returned the petition after raising objections over the preparation of the documents and the accompanying paper book. Security arrangements were later made around Shifa International Hospital, creating expectations that Imran would be shifted there. However, authorities subsequently took him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for a medical examination before returning him to prison. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the decision was linked to security concerns allegedly created by PTI workers near the hospital. The Pims administration later said specialists from Shifa International Hospital had participated in Imran’s eye assessment, while other examinations were conducted by Pims specialists. The medical issue has been under discussion since Imran was diagnosed with right central retinal vein occlusion, an eye condition, earlier this year.